Rabat – French politician Florence Kuntz, a former Member of the European Parliament, has said that the Atlantic initiative launched by King Mohammed VI is laying the groundwork for a transformative partnership between Europe and Africa.
In an article published on August 26, by Africapresse.paris, Kuntz emphasized that this initiative could invigorate North-South dialogue and cooperation, especially as the European Parliament enters its next legislative session.
The French politician envisions an “Atlantic Arc” that would link Europe and Africa, fostering deeper collaboration across the two continents.
Kuntz, a consultant in European institutional strategies and public affairs, advocates for the creation of this Atlantic Arc, which she believes Africa could further extend.
She highlights Morocco’s role in spearheading this initiative, which aims to unite the African Atlantic seaboard and landlocked Sahelian states into a cohesive economic and cultural region.
Kuntz sees this vision as a “high point of human communion, a pole of economic integration, and a focus of continental and international influence.”
Central to this initiative is the recognition that shared oceanic borders bring shared challenges. Kuntz pointed to the Atlantic Port of Dakhla as a prime example of the project’s potential.
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This port, she noted, serves as a vital gateway to Africa and an attractive hub for foreign investment, particularly within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Another key element of this initiative is the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, which would run along the West African coast. Kuntz identified this project as a particularly crucial step in solidifying the economic ties between Europe and Africa.
Looking ahead, Kuntz sees the 2030 Football World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Africa and Europe, as a powerful tool for Atlantic soft power. She believes this event could catalyze a range of economic and logistical projects, further advancing the Europe-Africa partnership.
She concluded her article by asserting that Morocco’s Atlantic initiative is key to reinforcing ties between Europe and Africa, urging future EU leaders to embrace this vision.
